My dad says that scratches and knicks on things give it character; I'm the opposite especially with guns. I use Hoppes "black la

[6phunter]

what your dad is really trying to tell you is trying to keep a gun pristine while usingit as a tool that it was designed for isn't going to happen,while keeping a weapon clean and in working order is the true value of any weapon, unless you just want to show case your weapons as a hobby.

[Pup49]

In the past, I treated my guns as if they were a work of art. But now, they are treated as a tool.

[huntfishtrap]

If the marks are on blued metal parts, you could use steel wool to remove them, and then re-blue it. For dings in wood, there's not much to do if they're very bad/deep, but for slight nicks you can sometimes steam the wood to remove them.
I am admittedly not the best one to ask about gun maintenance though, because the only parts of my guns that I am religious about keeping clean are the inside of the barrel, and the action. The way I see it, how the outside of a gun looks doesn't affect its accuracy/performance at all, and since none of my firearms were pieces of art to begin with, a few marks here and there don't hurt 'em any.

[4everAutumn]

Maybe it’s a sentimental old guy thing, but I agree with your dad. I think the nicks and scratches that happen during use add to the character of a gun. Insect repellent on my kids took off hand and cheek shaped finish on the 870 youth 20 gauge they both grew up shooting. Instead of a flaw, I see it as a visual history of where the gun has been and the memories tied to it. To me, those are better than little handprints in concrete. I just gave my oldest son my well used BPS. It is functionally perfect, but is missing all of the bluing on and around the thumb safety. I hope he sees this for what it is and never fixes it. Rust, on the other hand is a sign of neglect of a gun and should never be allowed to happen. I use Hoppe’s cleaning products and Rem oil to maintain my guns.

[officerdom1987]

My dad says that scratches and knicks on things give it character; I'm the opposite especially with guns. I use Hoppes "black label" oil to keep rust off the action and barrels and I use Blue Wondow Armadillo wood shine and conditioner on the wood to keep my guns nice both inside and out. A few of my guns from sticks and trees and from the metal of the treestand got marked up and it drives me crazy. I try to be careful but stuff happens. What can I use to A: Keep my guns well lubed and cleaned (things you use) and B: What can I use to fix imperfections? Thanks fellas